Turns out that the result so far of my spending as much time as possible inside the 10 days leading up to Azusa Now, a period that includes loving-on and evangelizing-on (not a dirty business after all) people of the streets, parks, and beaches of Los Angeles, has intensified my personal relationship with Jesus.

I’ve had to face my issues that bring about fear, and balance priorities… and leave Orange County for long blocks of time (that’s an inside joke for those of us who often dwell inside the comforts of living “behind the Orange Curtain”).

Mostly, I want more of Him in every part of my life. And have discovered that revival is an inside job. While we may want to see America change under the direction of God, I don’t have to look much farther than myself for areas of overhaul. FULL POST

IRVINE, Calif. - What I like best about Iron Man Oikodome, a monthly men’s breakfast held in Irvine, is that ministry leader Dan Wright and his team give the Holy Spirit a chance to operate… or space to roam, if you will.

By this I mean that while sticking to a timeline (7:30 to about 10 am) the meeting still allows for corporate prayer, one-on-one prayer, and impromptu testimonies. Yes, there’s a great time of worship and message, but it’s the time “in-between the cracks” that allows for sharing, healing, and powerful transformation. The meeting takes on amazing twists and turns when the Holy Spirit is allowed to guide the meeting’s direction and pace.

I had a chance to pray for one of the men at the meeting that came from U-Turn for Christ, a ranch for recovery from addictions in Perris, California, and I realized that it is for such a time as this that we are called to show the compassion and love that Jesus Christ always gives us. FULL POST

"This is what 6,000-plus people coming to Christ looks like," posted Greg Laurie on social media.

DALLAS, March 10, 2016 – Now that many of the 7,200 remote host locations participating in Harvest America have reported in, organizers are praising God for not just the record attendance figures, but the number of lives changed through the presentation of the Gospel message by evangelist Greg Laurie.

The trackable online audience was also impressive. Nearly 90,000 viewed the webcastat www.harvestamerica.com, with more than 1,000 of those indicating they also made a faith commitment. This brings the cumulative participation for Harvest America to over 350,000, and total faith commitments to Christ at more than 25,000. FULL POST

Greg Laurie and grandchildren at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on eve of Harvest America.

Evangelist Greg Laurie and an army of volunteers are hoping that Harvest America at the 100,000 max-capacity AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, streamed live to more than 6,000 host locations in the U.S. and worldwide, and broadcast live on cable TV on Sunday will usher thousands into a relationship with Jesus and become perhaps the largest Christian outreach in history.

This will be the fourth time in Harvest Ministries’ 26-year history that it has hosted this national outreach, “providing the opportunity for churches throughout the country to unite on one day as one church for one message – the Gospel message of God’s love and salvation, as presented by Laurie,” organizers said.

Laurie is no stranger to large stadium events, but he expressed awe at the size of the venue that hosts the Dallas Cowboys during the NFL season. FULL POST

Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries plan to hold a series of "Uprising" events in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area ahead of Harvest America beginning Saturday (January 16) and continuing through the end of the month.

The Harvest America Uprising events are designed to bring people together for a time of worship and encouragement prior to the big event at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Harvest takes its Southern California-grown, power-packed worship music and straight-forward Gospel message to a national level for the fourth year-in-a-row on March 6. Harvest America will also be livestreamed to thousands of locations across the country, including churches, theaters, and living rooms.

Here's what Harvest says about the Uprising events:

You’re Invited to Harvest America Uprising

Many people will contribute their time and talents serving at Harvest America, and we hope that you will do the same. FULL POST

Can a mass exodus of mostly millennials from churches lead to a billion global “gatherings” that meet at coffee shops, workplaces, and homes?

Pastor and church planter Jimmie Davidson is counting on it. He is the visionary behind The Brooks Church, designed to help people who are accustomed to watching church services through the Internet or on TV “become people with a church” wherever they meet.

Although The Brooks is a church planting movement, Davidson refers to the groups as gatherings, much like the early church in biblical times. The Brooks officially launches on Thursday (December 3).

“We are trying to bring the church where the church doesn’t exist as we raise up people that are not in the game, not using their talents, they are more spectators, and help them be a part of what Christ is doing all over the world,” said Davidson, 55, whose bio includes the descriptor “Great Commission Strategist.”

“One billion people mobilized, awakened, to host His church where they live, whatever space they have. It’s about His movement, it’s like streams of the desert, Isaiah 43:18-19. It’s the ultimate seeker-sensitive movement,” he said. FULL POST

Sal Perez escaped a lifestyle of addiction and drug manufacturing to serve others seeking help and restoration from bad choices, (Nov. 15, 2015)

LA VERNE, Calif. – Looking at recovery home manager Sal Perez for the first time I sense an aura around him that can only be described as love.

I tell myself that there’s no way that this 56-year-old man, born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, could have ever had a bad bone in his body. However, Sal is living a life transformed. He’ll tell you that in the past, as a methamphetamine addict that manufactured the drug to feed his habit, he intimidated people – he wanted to be bad.

It’s a Friday night at Izzy’s Place, and almost immediately I realize there’s something more to this recovery home than men simply trying to kick alcohol and drugs. Sal is smiling ear-to-ear as he greets new people and gives nods and hugs to others. FULL POST

LA VERNE, Calif. – Homes of Promise, a recovery home organization using Christian principles in order to help restore lives, held its first HOP Leadership Community meeting recently in order to bring people together who are interested in coming alongside the non-profit.

Bridge of hope and restoration.

Founder Ray Adamyk wants to see more churches and ministries in the U.S. support Christ-centered recovery homes, including providing a program that’s already become successful in Izzy’s Place locations in La Verne and Ontario.

“Homes of Promise is really in the restoration business,” said Adamyk, speaking to about 40 people in attendance. “We want to help restore men’s lives to what God had originally intended for them to be.”

HOP believes true recovery from problems such as drug addiction and alcohol abuse is achieved through the love of Jesus and his active presence in men’s lives. The organization provides a safe, sober and Christ-centered housing environment for those who want to live with others who have a desire to look to Jesus Christ for guidance and direction on the road to recovery. FULL POST

Without hesitation, Pat “Nobody” Taylor will tell you that he is more than grateful to have escaped the infamous Orange County punk scene sprouted in the late 70s’ and early 80s’.

Raised as a Catholic in Fullerton, Taylor said he knew the difference between right and wrong at an early age.

Yet, at 14 years old, he found himself smack dab in the middle of a music-based movement that included promoting a lifestyle of chaos and rebellion against all structure.

In front of a McDonald’s across from Fullerton High School, he met and became friends with Richard Francis “Rikk” Agnew, Jr., a member of some of the most influential bands of the Orange County hardcore punk genre, as well as the “deathrock” band Christian Death. As a member of the Adolescents and as a solo artist Agnew is considered one of the best guitarists in the Southern California hardcore punk scene. FULL POST

It was 19 years ago that it occurred to me during a flashbulb moment that my way of doing life wasn't working too well. A marriage that was short lived, a personal bankruptcy, and a third obvious problem, I was uncomfortable in my own skin.

I reasoned that I had three strikes against me, and in baseball terms, I had struck out. It was a "moment of surrender." It was at that point that I began on an amazing journey and I have never been the same.

Two years into sobriety, I still was in a lot of mental and emotional pain and turmoil. Then, I began to seek help seriously. I went to church. Out of the blue, a man behind the Celebrate Recovery info table at Saddleback Church asked me if I "knew Jesus." I said I don't know if I do or don't (I had prayed with someone over the phone previously but wasn't sure if "it took") and he asked me if I'd like to pray. I did and it was if the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. I could feel the change physically as well. I knew I was headed down a new path. FULL POST